Russian spies and time travelers visited the Palouse Saturday night in the first 24 Hour Theatre Festival hosted by STAGE.

The event consisted of both Nuthouse Improv Comedy and STAGE members who were challenged with the task of scripting, rehearsing and performing four short plays within 24 hours. The event was performed at Wadleigh Theatre and will become an annual activity.

While prepping for the performance, one of the directors and host Joseph Seguin said the cast had a lot of physical stress to overcome. “Most of the actors haven’t slept, including myself,” he said.

The time crunch pushed people beyond their physical and mental limits, Nathan Nakamoto, a senior actor, said.

Writers, directors and actors each had different roles in the production. The writers were given the challenge to write a play in several hours.

The level of difficulty helped create characters that matched the actors because it simplified the acting process, said Elias Nilsson, a freshman and playwright.

Seguin described this factor as the most frightening theater activity he has experienced. He emphasized the major difference between doing a production in five weeks and doing a production in one day. Half of the shows were improvised.

Three of the four plays consisted of two actors. The fourth was an exception and included a third character.

The first play focused on a dramatic discussion analyzing the H-bomb and atom bombs. As the play developed, a Russian spy and CIA agent enter the mix. A physical gun and knife fight unfold the climax in synchronization to a classical soundtrack.

The second play was a comedic performance about a man studying philosophy. The man’s logic causes endless confusion at the expense of his girlfriend.

The third play focused on two characters divided by war-based trauma. The majority of the play centers on the angst between the two and analyzes the expense of mental illnesses.

The fourth and final play featured a quirky scientist, his wife and a time traveling visitor.

Despite the stresses of performing, cast members said they enjoyed the event.

“It’s a good experience,” Nilsson said. “If people like a challenge, do it.”

The 24 Hour Theatre Festival will continue next fall in November and next spring in April. Anyone interested in participating is encouraged to reach out to STAGE and Nuthouse Improv Comedy.